ALEX³ Case No. 2

Lu, 28 years from Hongkong

Clinical history

Rhinoconjuctivitis observed during childhood. Asthmatic exacerbations without physical exercise also registered. In-vitro test for house dust was positive in 1998.

Family history

Both parents are allergic to mites.

Present situation

Lu suffered severe allergic symptoms (skin rash, swellings, itching & shortness of breath) after the intake of a Thai dish containing seafood, peanuts and soy. Because of the complex nature of the consumed dish and the potentially dangerous reactions an ALEX test was requested by Lu’ allergist.

Lu's ALEX³ test results

Allergen source Allergen

D. farinae

Der f 2

D. pteronyssinus

Der p 2

D. pteronyssinus

Der p 10

Blomia tropicalis

Blo t 10

Tyrophagus putrescentiae

Tyr p 10

American cockroach

Per a 7

Allergen source Biochemical designation

D. farinae

NPC2

D. pteronyssinus

NPC2

D. pteronyssinus

Tropomyosin

Blomia tropicalis

Tropomyosin

Tyrophagus putrescentiae

Tropomyosin

American cockroach

Tropomyosin

Allergen source IgE Level [kUA/L]

D. farinae

2.45

D. pteronyssinus

3.10

D. pteronyssinus

5.87

Blomia tropicalis

3.02

Tyrophagus putrescentiae

2.67

American cockroach

3.83

Allergen source Allergen

Anisakis simplex

Ani s 3

Crab mix

Chi spp.

Lobster

Hom g

Shrimp

Pen m 1

Shrimp mix

Lit spp.

Giant freshwater prawn

Mac r 1

Northern prawn

Pan b

Squid

Lol spp.

Venus clam

Rud spp.

Allergen source Biochemical designation

Anisakis simplex

Tropomyosin

Crab mix

Extract

Lobster

Extract

Shrimp

Tropomyosin

Shrimp mix

Extract

Giant freshwater prawn

Tropomyosin

Northern prawn

Extract

Squid

Extract

Venus clam

Extract

Allergen source IgE Level [kUA/L]

Anisakis simplex

1.82

Crab mix

0.95

Lobster

0.58

Shrimp

4.01

Shrimp mix

0.98

Giant freshwater prawn

3.78

Northern prawn

1.01

Squid

0.48

Venus clam

0.31

Analysis

House dust mites

  • Der p 2, Der f 2: major HDM allergens: house dust mite allergy
  • Der p 10 is a highly cross-reactive tropomyosin

Seafood

  • Pen m 1 from shrimp is a risk marker for severe seafood allergy

Summary

  • Lu’s mite allergy (tropomyosin sensitisation, Der p 10) leads to clinically relevant cross-reactions to seafood
  • Mite encasing, AIT against house dust mite and avoidance of seafood is advised
  • An emergency set could be prescribed, as seafood can cause severe allergic reactions

Novel findings revealed by ALEX³

  • Tropomyosin syndrome